Mohammed Shafi, National Executive President of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), has expressed serious concern over the Supreme Court’s recent order on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in West Bengal. Shafi stated that the one-week window provided for claims and objections, along with the clarification that the final authority to add or remove names rests solely with the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), is insufficient. According to him, merely directing the SIR process to proceed without interruption does not guarantee robust protection of genuine voters’ rights.
The SDPI has particularly flagged the disproportionate impact of this process on Muslim minority communities. The party claims that in districts with a high Muslim population, such as Murshidabad, Malda, and parts of North 24 Parganas, a large number of voters have been flagged due to alleged “logical discrepancies.” These inconsistencies often arise from minor variations in name spelling, surname changes after marriage, common variations in father’s or family names, or family structures that do not align with rigid database standards.
The party further warned that software-based verification methods, which ignore social and cultural realities, could put the voting rights of millions of legitimate citizens—including the poor, women, migrant workers, and the elderly—at risk. The tight deadlines for submitting documents or attending hearings are proving extremely difficult for these groups.
Mohammed Shafi also alleged that the SIR exercise resembles a backdoor implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC), being accelerated selectively in opposition-ruled states like West Bengal ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. He cautioned that such measures could weaken minority voting power and undermine the constitutional guarantee of universal adult suffrage under Article 326. According to the party, the relief offered so far fails to dispel widespread fear and uncertainty at the grassroots level.
The SDPI has called for strict judicial oversight of the entire process, mandatory acceptance of common identity documents such as Aadhaar and ration cards as standalone valid proof, and an inclusive framework that prioritizes including voters rather than removing them. Reiterating solidarity with affected communities, the party urged immediate corrective measures to ensure free and fair elections.
